Discussion: 11th defender

11th defenderJust played in Mesquite and Huntsman games. An 11th defender was allowed at the 65 level. Two of our opponents played a "5" man outfield which took away all the alleys. This left the middle wide open and guess where we hit often and successfully. Who wouldn't go there with the outfield blanketed and a 60-70 gap in the middle? Pitchers were a little miffed we went there. Question why?

I see only "2" reasons to allow an 11th defender.

1. Lets another guy play.

2. An 11th defender, when played in the infield,gives very little space to get a hit up the middle, so you go elsewhere. Helps protect the pitcher.

I really believe that when you are allowed the 11th defender, he should be required to play (line up)feet on the dirt at least until the ball leaves the pitchers hand. The main purpose being to clog up the middle infield and discourage hitters from going hard middle. Also, playing that 11th guy in the infield will give you many more double plays over the course of a season.

One of the advantages of the 11th player in all divisions is that it does protect the pitcher. You will never see it in the lower divisions because the hitters don't want it. Based on keeping track for two years there is about a 100 point drop in the batting averages with the the MF.

On my teams I like the 11th player to play as a rover and not over the middle especially if he has a strong arm and good range.

In instances where the 11th fielder is allowed, why would we want a rule that requires that he/she must be in the infield?
Wouldn't common sense be enough? ... and/or... wouldn't we prefer to have the discretion of where to place him/her?
BW

I don't believe there is any rule that says where he should play. Like I said I prefer him as a rover cutting off the alley's of pull hitters and forcing the batter to hit away from where he is playing.

The few years that I had a 11th player with a strong arm and great range we threw a lot of runners out at 1st from short field.

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